Governments will gather at back to back conferences in Kasane, Botswana, next week to review the successes, or otherwise, of recent attempts to better protect elephants and end illegal wildlife trade.

On Monday, 23rd March, the African Elephant Summit will gather governments from around the world to discuss and review progress on measures agreed in December 2013 intended to alleviate the poaching of elephants in the wild, driven by global demand for ivory.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is changing its position on the Hunting Act and calling for a number of necessary amendments in light of another prosecution being dropped.

IFAW, one of the key groups involved in successfully campaigning for the Hunting Act to be introduced a decade ago, has continued to work to protect this vital piece of wildlife legislation. However, it believes the Act now needs amending so it can be used more effectively.

Kiki’s puppies are just about four weeks old now. Their eyes are open and they’ve discovered how to stand up and are taking their first steps. The pups are slowly beginning to move around and explore the world around them – under the watchful eye of mom and Dr. Erika Flores, of course.

June 2016 Update: Despite earlier threats of lowering the amount, the Senate has restored the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance grant program to the original $4,000,000, pending final approval of the national budget.